The 5 Best Summer Cocktails To Try In NYC

August 27, 2012 2:00 PM

The Spazerac (credit: The Tippler)

When it comes to summer cocktails, the bottom line is refreshment. Sometimes it comes in the form of seasonal fruit, perhaps some fizz, and plenty of ice. These five drinks are ideal to cool you off on even the steamiest days of an NYC summer. By Laren Spirer.

Gin & Tonic, Gin Palace

A gin and tonic is a go-to summer drink for many tipplers, so newcomer Gin Palace made it easy for both patrons and bartenders to gain quick access. Their house G&T is served on tap, a lively combination of Gordon’s gin, Bitterman’s Commonwealth tonic liqueur and grapefruit bitters, garnished with the traditional lime wedge. For a mere $7, you might as well have two.

(credit: Monument Lane)

Summer & Smoke, Monument Lane

Strawberries from the Union Square Greenmarket lend their sweetness to the Summer and Smoke. Mezcal provides a whisper of smoke, spiked with a dash of cinnamon and a squeeze of lime for acidity. The entire concoction is shaken and served on the rocks. One sip and you’ll know that it lives up to its name.

The Spazerac (credit: The Tippler)

The Spazerac, The Tippler

The Tippling Brothers, Paul Tanguay and Tad Carducci, offer several icy concoctions at their subterranean cocktail den. The Spazerac is a frozen version of, you guessed it, the classic Sazerac. New Orleans should be jealous.

(credit: Demi Monda)

Strawberry Tarragon Soda, Demi Monde

This recent addition to the Financial District brings serious cocktails downtown. Their beverage program includes a selection of house made sodas, including a strawberry tarragon variety that screams summertime. You can either have it as is, or the “adult” version, with the addition of vodka or gin.

Credit: Facebook/Yerba Buena Perry

The Sun-Dia, Yerba Buena Perry

Watermelon evokes memories of cookouts and picnics, and The Sun-Dia by Alex Valencia punches it up with a dose of Latin flavors. He blends Herradura blanco tequila, elderflower liqueur, jalapeño infused Cointreau, watermelon, and lime, and serves it on the rocks for a spicy summer refresher.